Fatima Sana's Perth Scorchers Deal: A Dream Finally Realized

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-04

Pakistan women's T20I captain Fatima Sana has signed a one-year deal with the Perth Scorchers for the 2026-27 Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) season. The 24-year-old all-rounder will join the Australian franchise for WBBL 12, which begins on October 29, 2026. This marks a significant milestone in her career and for Pakistan women's cricket. Sana will make her debut for the Scorchers in their home opener against the Melbourne Renegades at the WACA Ground on October 31. Her arrival completes the overseas player contingent for Perth as the club aims for the WBBL title following last year's final defeat against the Hobart Hurricanes. ### Contract Details and Tournament Availability Fatima Sana will be available for the Scorchers' first eight matches of the campaign. She can stay on with Perth if the Pakistan Cricket Board allows her to skip a national training camp. The skipper has a potential scheduling problem as Pakistan are scheduled to tour the West Indies in December 2026. Sana entered the WBBL overseas player draft in 2025, but no team selected her. She has now secured her first Big Bash deal through direct club negotiations. This perseverance paid off, and she's ready to make her mark. ### Historic Milestone in WBBL History Sana became only the second Pakistani woman to sign for a WBBL club. Former Pakistan captain Nida Dar was the first to do so when she played 11 matches for Sydney Thunder at WBBL 05 in 2019. Now, Sana is set to write her own chapter. This will be Sana's first appearance in the WBBL. She is only the second Pakistan player to play in the WBBL after Nida Dar, who played 11 matches for Sydney Thunder in the 2019 edition. This achievement is a testament to her talent and hard work. Sana is the latest in a growing list of Pakistani cricketers to feature in Australia, following six men's players who took part in BBL 15. Babar Azam, the former men's captain, played for Sydney Sixers last season alongside teammates Shaheen Afridi, Muhammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan and Hassan Ali. The trend of Pakistani players making an impact in Australian cricket continues to grow. ### Overseas Franchise Experience The Perth contract marks Sana's second overseas franchise stint of 2026. Earlier this year, Birmingham Phoenix drafted her as an overseas wildcard replacement for Australia's Lucy Hamilton in The Hundred. Sana received a £15,000 minimum salary contract (approximately $19,000 USD) and played six matches, becoming the first Pakistani woman to feature in the competition. She also played in the Women's Caribbean Premier League in 2022 and New Zealand's Super Smash in 2023. These experiences have prepared her for the challenges of the WBBL. ### Statements from Player and Management Sana expressed immense joy after completing her move to the Western Australian club. "I've watched the WBBL from Pakistan and always wondered what it would feel like to be part of this great competition," Sana said in an official Scorchers statement. "To now wear the Scorchers colours, represent such a great club and walk out at the WACA Ground in front of members and fans, while being cheered on by people back home, is incredibly special. This really is a dream come true." Perth Scorchers General Manager Kade Harvey welcomed the Pakistan skipper to the franchise. "Fatima is one of the most exciting young allrounders in world cricket, and we're thrilled to welcome her to Perth Scorchers for the upcoming summer," Harvey stated. "A proven performer at the age of 24, we believe she fits our list profile really well and we're excited to see how Fatima executes on the WACA Ground wicket." ### Perth Scorchers Squad Structure for WBBL 12 Sana's arrival completes the three-player overseas contingent for Perth Scorchers in WBBL 12. She joins England all-rounder Freya Kemp and New Zealand veteran Sophie Devine in the squad. Both Kemp and Devine return to Perth after helping the team reach last season's WBBL final. The international trio joins established Australian national team stars Beth Mooney and Alana King in the Scorchers lineup. With such a strong squad, the Scorchers are poised for another deep run in the tournament. Sana's journey from Pakistan to the WBBL is an inspiring one. She has worked tirelessly to reach this point, and her inclusion in the Perth Scorchers squad is a proud moment for her and her country. Fans around the world will be watching as she takes the field in the WBBL, hoping to see her shine on the big stage. For more cricket news and updates, stay tuned to our blog.